The 2018 route took riders over the same route as stage 10 of the Tour, from Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand in the Alps.

Annecy hosted the start of L’Etape this year, kicking off the 169km challenge.

The climbing started after 40 kilometres with the Col de la Croix-Fry standing at 1477 metres above sea level, before descending and then almost immediately tackling the gruelling ascent to Plateau des Glières.

This seven kilometre climb grinds out at an average gradient of 11 per cent, and includes a 1.5km section of gravel track towards the top.

There was a short respite between the two pairs of climbs, before launching into the Col de Romme.

After the descent of Col de Romme, it was on to the Col de la Colombière and the highest point of the 2018 Etape at 1618 metres.

Thankfully, there was a downhill section to the finish line in Le Grand-Bornand, where your legs and lungs could recover from the 4,000-plus metres of climbing.